Education

Requires the state to create new pathways for teachers to earn dual credentials in general and special education by 2027. Establishes routes for existing teachers to add special education or general education credentials to their qualifications. Mandates the review of current credentialing systems to identify barriers and create more efficient certification paths. Aims to address the shortage of special education teachers while promoting inclusive classroom environments.

Extends the deadline for reviewing and streamlining school district reporting requirements to January 2027. Requires the Department of Education to analyze and recommend ways to reduce administrative reporting burdens. Eliminates requirements for schools to complete special education improvement plans known as IDEA Addendums.

Requires California schools to include African American contributions during key historical periods in history textbooks. Mandates curriculum updates to cover African American experiences with discrimination and land ownership barriers. Takes effect for textbook revisions after January 1, 2026.

Establishes a new state agency to oversee educational programs for veterans in California. Authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to create and update regulations for veterans' education programs. Grants the Secretary of Veterans Affairs authority to approve educational organizations for veteran benefits.

Requires schools to process special education transfers within 30 days for students moving between districts. Mandates schools to accept unofficial records from military families pending official documentation. Establishes electronic enrollment systems for military families transferring to California schools. Requires schools to coordinate special education services immediately when military students transfer.

Requires California law schools to allow students to receive pay while earning credit for externships starting August 2026. Maintains existing academic requirements while giving employers discretion to offer compensation for externships. Applies to both in-state and remote externships at government agencies, nonprofits, and private firms. Students must be in good academic standing to receive compensation for externship work.

Requires schools to develop smartphone usage policies promoting evidence-based practices by July 2026. Expands teaching credential flexibility by allowing educators to add subject authorizations more easily. Mandates preschool programs reserve 5 percent of enrollment for children with exceptional needs. Clarifies physical education requirements must be calculated based on schooldays rather than calendar days.

Expands school employee leave donation programs to include charter schools and state emergency situations. Allows employees to donate vacation and sick leave in minimum eight-hour increments to affected colleagues. Requires employees to exhaust their own paid leave before using donated leave credits. Limits the use of donated leave to a maximum of 12 consecutive months.

Establishes a new standardized transfer pathway between California community colleges and universities by Fall 2025. Requires community colleges to use the California General Education Transfer Curriculum as the only transfer pathway. Renames and expands the Foster Care Education Program to include support for kinship care providers. Mandates uniform policies for awarding Advanced Placement credits across community colleges.

Raises the minimum value for school equipment inventory tracking from $500 to $1,500 per item. Requires the state to adjust the inventory threshold every two years based on inflation. Mandates schools to record detailed information including acquisition date and disposal method for tracked items.

Requires California public colleges to provide organ donation education to all incoming students. Allows campuses to share donor registry information through multiple channels including orientation and health centers. Mandates Donate Life California to provide educational resources and ongoing support to all campuses.

Permanently authorizes career technical education courses to fulfill high school graduation requirements in California. Requires schools to notify parents and stakeholders before allowing career technical education to satisfy graduation requirements. Mandates a one-semester ethnic studies course for graduation starting in the 2029-30 school year. Requires a standalone personal finance course for graduation beginning with the 2030-31 school year.

Authorizes automatic 30-day extensions for student aid deadlines when FAFSA opening is delayed. Requires the Student Aid Commission to notify officials of deadline extensions within 48 hours. Mandates annual reporting on the number and impact of deadline extensions granted. Applies extension policies to all state financial aid programs including Cal Grants and Middle Class Scholarships.

Allows specialized deaf and hard-of-hearing services to be the only services in special education plans. Enables schools to contract specialized hearing services through certified nonpublic agencies. Recognizes that deaf students may not need traditional special education classroom placement.

Requires California teacher preparation programs to include youth mental health training for new credentials. Expands existing health education requirements while maintaining current training in nutrition and substance abuse. Aims to improve student wellbeing by ensuring teachers understand basic youth mental health concepts.

Requires county superintendents to complete school textbook reviews by the 8th week of the school year. Mandates priority inspections within 4 weeks for schools with reported textbook or safety issues. Takes effect immediately to ensure proper implementation for the 2025-26 school year. Establishes state reimbursement for local agencies to cover mandated inspection costs.

Extends childcare provider reimbursement rates and monthly cost-of-care payments through June 2026. Reduces the required documented childcare need from 6 to 5 hours for daily rate reimbursements. Allocates $88.5 million to reimburse providers based on families' certified childcare needs. Establishes a new unified rate structure based on factors like geography and type of care setting.

Mandates new literacy training requirements for reading specialist and administrator credentials by 2028. Requires adoption of new K-8 English language arts and development materials by January 2027. Establishes evidence-based reading instruction standards focused on phonics and language development. Requires schools to use state-approved materials or certify alternatives meet new literacy standards.

Establishes new financial accountability measures for schools including stricter audit requirements and oversight. Creates the Office of Education Inspector General to investigate fraud and monitor educational programs. Requires charter schools to report financial data like school districts and limits nonclassroom-based programs. Mandates local agencies adopt contractor policies prohibiting enrollment incentives and requiring background checks.

Increases maximum Cal Grant tuition awards to $9,708 for students at independent colleges starting 2026-27. Removes funding restrictions for community college students transferring to independent institutions. Requires independent colleges to meet transfer student targets to qualify for higher award amounts. Maintains financial aid eligibility for students transferring between California higher education institutions.

Authorizes continuation high schools to offer workforce development programs on up to two weekdays per week. Requires students to maintain 15 hours of weekly class attendance while participating in workforce programs. Mandates programs to provide industry certifications or academic credit through supervised workplace experiences. Requires partnerships with colleges or accredited workforce organizations to deliver training programs.

Expands community college firefighting programs for incarcerated individuals by January 2028. Establishes a firefighter training program at the Ventura Training Center for formerly incarcerated people. Creates a 5-year pilot program in Los Angeles County to employ former inmates as firefighters. Requires program evaluation and reporting to assess effectiveness of the pilot program.

Expands Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship Program eligibility to dependents of active-duty military members stationed outside California who maintain California as their legal residence. Requires students to submit federal financial aid applications by March 2 and maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive awards. Mandates annual audits of at least 10% of new and renewal awards to verify eligibility before disbursing funds. Establishes adjusted income and asset limits that are annually updated based on cost-of-living changes to determine award amounts.

Expands California school assessment options to include Cambridge International examinations for evaluating student growth. Requires school counselors to promote Cambridge International programs alongside AP and IB options. Establishes formal recognition of Cambridge International programs within California's education system. Enables students who complete Cambridge programs to earn advanced placement credits at universities.

Requires California public universities to cover learning disability assessment costs for students receiving financial aid. Establishes a state reimbursement program for universities to recover actual costs of disability assessments. Takes effect July 1, 2027 pending state budget approval. Mandates universities to publicly post information about assessment coverage on their websites.